KC Chiefs could find offensive line depth in free agency

MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Stefen Wisniewski #61 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks against DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 02: Stefen Wisniewski #61 of the Kansas City Chiefs blocks against DeForest Buckner #99 of the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV at Hard Rock Stadium on February 02, 2020 in Miami, Florida. The Chiefs won the game 31-20. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /
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CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 13: Eric Kush #72 of the Cleveland Browns sits on the bench during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Seattle defeated Cleveland 32-28. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – OCTOBER 13: Eric Kush #72 of the Cleveland Browns sits on the bench during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 13, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. Seattle defeated Cleveland 32-28. (Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images) /

Eric Kush

For the Chiefs, much of what they do along the offensive interior is going to depend on how they feel about some internal options.

  • Is Nick Allegretti developing as a late-round pick?
  • Has Martinas Rankin healed from a season-ending injury?
  • Can Ryan Hunter turn the corner?
  • How does the franchise feel about Andrew Wylie moving forward?

If the answer to one or more of these turns out negative, then the Chiefs might be interested in bringing in a familiar face for some competition in Eric Kush.

Kush would bring a player familiar with the Chiefs system, one who has grown considerably with experience (starting even) in other places. While Kush impressed with his ability to even stay with the Chiefs for a couple years as a late round flyer, he’s really excelled in the years since thanks to his tremendous work ethic and overall strength.

Who could have anticipated that Kush would turn into a reliable backup who would start 19 games for the Bears and Browns in the last three years. Kush started 7 games apiece in each of the last two seasons for Chicago and Cleveland, proving to multiple coaching staffs in multiple systems that he’s worthy of ascending the depth chart.

Kush comes with experience of playing left guard, right guard and center, so he’s a one-stop backup all along the interior, a la Jeff Allen. He’d also come cheaply and a full circle journey competing for a championship with the team that drafted him certainly makes for a compelling story.